OPT Licensed Practical Nurse Jobs

Licensed Practical Nurse jobs on OPT require active state licensure, which means passing the NCLEX-PN before you can work. Most LPN roles qualify as STEM-adjacent through healthcare CIP codes, and many hospital systems and long-term care facilities have sponsored OPT students before.

See All OPT Licensed Practical Nurse Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs2,289+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type99% On-site
Median Salary$18K
Top LocationMemphis, TN
Most JobsBAYADA Home Health Care

Showing 5 of 2,289+ Licensed Practical Nurse jobs

Massena Hospital, Inc.
Licensed Practical Nurse - Communication Center (Transfer Line)
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Massena Hospital, Inc.
New 15h ago
Licensed Practical Nurse - Communication Center (Transfer Line)
Massena Hospital, Inc.
Rochester, New York
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$54,080 - $66,560/yr
Hybrid
2+ yrs exp.
Associate's

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RHA Health Services, LLC
Neil Dobbins Center Licensed Practical Nurse Night Shift
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RHA Health Services, LLC
New 19h ago
Neil Dobbins Center Licensed Practical Nurse Night Shift
RHA Health Services, LLC
Asheville, North Carolina
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Not listed
On-Site
Associate's

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BAYADA Home Health Care
Bilingual Home Care LPN
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BAYADA Home Health Care
New 19h ago
Bilingual Home Care LPN
BAYADA Home Health Care
Durham, North Carolina
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$32/hr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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UofL Health
LPN
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UofL Health
Added 1d ago
LPN
UofL Health
Louisville, Kentucky
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Sutter Health
LVN Lead, Home Health
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Sutter Health
Added 1d ago
LVN Lead, Home Health
Sutter Health
Sacramento, California
Nursing
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Caregiving & Elderly Support
$38/hr - $49/hr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Associate's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Licensed Practical Nurse

Get your state nursing license before applying

You cannot legally work as an LPN without passing the NCLEX-PN and holding an active license in the state where you'll practice. Apply for licensure immediately after graduation so your OPT start date aligns with license approval.

Target long-term care and rehabilitation facilities

Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living centers, and rehab hospitals hire LPNs in high volume and are more accustomed to working with international candidates on OPT than smaller outpatient clinics or private practices.

Confirm your program's CIP code qualifies for STEM OPT

Practical nursing programs under CIP code 51.3901 qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verify this with your DSO before applying, since it gives employers a much longer authorization window and improves your hiring odds.

Address your OPT timeline upfront with nurse recruiters

Hospital recruiters screen candidates early on work authorization. Be direct about your OPT end date, whether STEM extension applies, and your H-1B visa eligibility timeline so recruiters can assess fit without ambiguity on either side.

Highlight clinical hours from your nursing program

Many LPN roles require verified clinical experience. List your supervised clinical rotations, patient contact hours, and any specialties covered during your program. This directly offsets the concern that international candidates lack domestic bedside experience.

Seek employers with established OPT or H-1B sponsorship history

Large hospital networks and national long-term care chains are more likely to have immigration counsel on retainer and prior experience sponsoring nurses. Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers who have sponsored OPT workers in healthcare roles before.

Licensed Practical Nurse OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as an LPN on OPT without a nursing license?

No. OPT authorizes you to work in your field of study, but state law still requires an active LPN license before you can practice. You must pass the NCLEX-PN and receive licensure approval from the state board before your start date. Applying before OPT begins is the best way to avoid a gap between authorization and eligibility.

Do LPN jobs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?

Practical nursing programs under CIP code 51.3901 are on the STEM OPT eligible list, so graduates may qualify for the 24-month extension after their initial 12-month OPT period. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility. If you qualify, applying early gives your employer confidence you have a multi-year authorization window.

Which employers typically hire LPNs on OPT?

Large health systems, skilled nursing facilities, and national long-term care chains are the most consistent sources of LPN hiring for OPT students. These organizations employ nurses at scale, have HR teams familiar with work authorization, and are more likely to have sponsored international hires before. Browse Migrate Mate to find LPN roles from employers with documented OPT sponsorship history.

Can an LPN on OPT transition to H-1B sponsorship?

LPN roles are generally classified as requiring an associate-level education, which creates challenges for H-1B eligibility since that visa requires a bachelor's degree in a specialty occupation. Some nurses pursue an LPN-to-RN or BSN bridge program to qualify for H-1B or EB-3 sponsorship. Discussing a long-term pathway with your employer early in your OPT period is worth the conversation.

What happens to my LPN license if I change states during OPT?

Nursing licenses are state-specific. If you relocate for a new role, you must apply for licensure in the new state, either through endorsement or by retaking requirements if that state does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact. The Nurse Licensure Compact allows multi-state practice for qualifying nurses, but not every state is a member. Check your current and target state's membership status before accepting a position.